artsy-crafty babe

day 10 :: me time

Matt & the kids are out shopping for gifts, therefore, I sew.

impulse buy

When I saw these shoes I couldn't resist them.  Green patent (comfortable) flip flops - perfect!

Too bad I didn't make this in my size :)

so much for low key

When I said that I was gonna take it easy this week, I was totally forgetting about some things that I needed to do.  Duh!  I have two custom orders and a birthday gift for a little girl to make this week.  Um, there's no way I can take it easy with those projects waiting to be done.  And wouldn't you know, when there are things that I have to do on the agenda, I get the creative bug to start something new.  I'm using my want as a reward for finishing the must do.  Hopefully my creative juices will still be flowing by then!

the dress, AGAIN

As of this morning, I was still undecided about this dress.  I'm not too happy with the whole front opening/collar part, but after a good steaming and some strategic pinning, I'm pretty sure I can make it work.  I'm thinking my mistake was in choosing this fabric.  It's way too stiff.  This fabric probably would have been better suited for a shirtdress or something.  Oh well, too late now.

What I do love about this dress is the skirt part.  I love how swishy it is.  This was my first time making a skirt on the bias, and now I'm a total convert.  Being the fabric miser that I am, I never wanted to spring on the extra fabric required for a bias skirt.  It's worth it!  If I decide to scrap the dress, I'm definitely saving the skirt part.  See?  It won't be a total waste. (the dress isn't hemmed yet, which is why I'm not showing the bottom)

If I do wear the dress (I bought a backup option today), the orange jewelry is a must.  I only wish I could find some orange bangles to go with it.  Finding orange bangles is proving to be more difficult than I thought! 

almost done

Last night I got the fiesta dress all sewn up, on the machine that is.  I still have LOTS of hand sewing to finish (thanks to my eliminating the front bodice lining) and the hem to complete.  The good news is that it fits.  The bad news is that I'm afraid it might grow.  It is linen, you know.

Overall, I'm pleased with the dress and think that it is a very flattering fit (as far as I can tell).  As much as I fought with it, I may make another.  This time I'll actually follow the fabric suggestions and go by the specified directions!  When I eliminated the front lining, it confused things a bit.  I wasn't able to use the directions because all the directions involved that darned lining.  I really couldn't line the bodice because the fabric was too heavy.  See what I mean? 

Now that I'm pretty certain I'll be wearing the dress Saturday night, my thoughts have turned to accessories and shoes.  I'm still undecided on the shoes (thinking tan strappy slides), but I'm pretty sure I'm going to wear that orange necklace and earrings.  Too much?  I feel like I needed something to break up all the green.  I'll probably chicken out and not wear the orange, I don't know.

I promise, when I get it finished I'll model it for you.

boosting my confidence

This weekend I started working on my fiesta dress.  Oh boy, this is turning out to be way more complicated that what I wanted.  I had to stop working on it because I didn't have a zipper (and was just plain frustrated).  I didn't even realize that the dress needed a zipper!  That's what I get for using a pattern I bought 4 years ago and not consulting the back of the envelope before diving in.  I'm gonna plow through it, and hopefully have a dress at the end of the week.

After working on that dress I needed to work on something to build my confidence back up (a tricky pattern will do that to ya).  I decided to go with a simple zippered pouch.  Easy peasy.  I think I was trying to build up a good rapport with my zipper foot before I attempt the 22" zipper on that dress.   I think it turned out cute - I'm so easily pleased!

Because I was still in the mood to sew, I decided to tackle a new bag design I came up with last week.  It's a pleated pocket tote.  I still need to do some tweaking of the pattern, but for a prototype I think it turned out great.  The fabrics totally make it.  This bag makes me want to sip a tall glass of lemonade.  I'm so tempted to start carrying this around, but I just made myself a new bag last week.  I plan to list it in the shop, but I have a feeling I'll be making myself one soon...I'm such an addict!!

next on the agenda...

Because one of the main reasons for buying my new machine was clothing construction, I'd like to work on some clothes for myself.  Next weekend Matt and I have a fiesta themed function to attend, so I thought I'd make myself a new dress.  I'm thinking of trying out a sleeveless wrap dress (view C, or maybe I'll do D) in a printed linen.  The linen ended up being a little more bold than I expected (that's what I get for ordering online), so I think it will work for a "fiesta".  I'm gonna wing it this time, forgoing the muslin.  If it doesn't turn out, oh well, I'm not THAT in love with the fabric.  I've often been surprised by fabrics once they're made up, I'm hoping that will be the case this time.

Yesterday I couldn't help myself at Hobby Lobby.  Simplicity patterns were $1.99.  I went in there with two patterns on my list, but ended up buying four.  They'll all probably end up sitting in my pattern stash, but I can't resist a sale!  I would like to attempt that Project Runway shirtdress, I love that style.  Who knows, I might get on a roll and make myself a whole new wardrobe, hee-hee!

Did you know that HGTV.com had a craft blog?  Well it does, and a few of my tutorials have been featured.  Go check it out!  If you've seen my fluffy flower tutorial in the past, you might want to check it out again because I've updated it with better pictures (Lera, I know you'll love it!).  The old ones were so BAD!!

unfinished business

I have something else to share.  Before you start thinking that I'm a robot or something, I must tell you that this clutch was cut and partially assembled months ago.  It's been sitting on my sewing table mocking me since November.  Yes, November.  I don't know why I never finished it, but I'm so happy to finally check it off my list.

This clutch is variation of this bag. I designed it for an upcoming book, Pretty Little Purses and Pouches, which should be out sometime in the fall, I think.  If you look on the sidebar to the left, you'll see three books that I have projects in.  I don't know why I haven't talked about these before. I was very excited to be included in them, but by the time I get everything written and made I was so worried about getting it to the publisher in time, I didn't think to take pictures of my finished projects.  The potholder book comes out first, then the patchwork, then the purses.  I can't wait to see them.  I'm very curious as to how my patterns, directions and products were interpreted.  If you can wait until fall, then you can get the book and make your own version, if not, this one, along with another in the works (also since November) will be in my shop.

One more thing, those of you who won my drawing back in January - I should be finished with your prizes soon.  I'm so sorry it took me so long to get it together.  Better late than never, right?

bugs

I'm having lots of fun breaking in my new sewing machine.  I really love using the decorative stitches.  I have no idea what I'd use 95% of them for, but the blanket stitch is perfect for applique.  Some friends of ours just gave birth to their 3rd son, so gifts were in order.  I decided to make the new baby and his two older brothers matching shirts.  I didn't want to be too matchy-matchy, so I used the same bug design on them all, but made each one in different fabrics.  I then made a coordinating patchwork bib to match the baby's onesie.  I think these turned out well.  I sure hope they all like them.

While I was in the groove, Lily requested that I make a gift for her teacher, who is due any day now with a little boy (at least I hope it's a boy - I'm trusting Lily on that one).  More bugs.  Hmm, now I think Alex needs some appliqued t-shirts, but no bugs for him, he requested a whale :)

I'm forgiven

I spent a little quality time with my fabric this weekend.  We kissed and made up.  It was necessary because I bought one of these.

As much as I really, really, really wanted one of these, I couldn't bring myself to spend that much money.  Shoot, even what I spent on my much less expensive machine hurt a little.  I don't like spending large sums of money, especially on one thing that's just for me.  But it's done, and the store I bought it from has a really crappy return policy, so the new machine is mine.  I broke it in this weekend with some new bags, though sewing bags isn't why I bought it (I wanted some bells & whistles for sewing clothes).

This is something that I've had in my head for a while.  Eh, I think it looks cute, but it's way too fussy to make.  I think this will be a one and only version.

This is my new bag.  Yes, I made myself another new bag.  Do you see a pattern here?  I make myself a new bag, use it for a very brief time, then make myself another one, listing the old bag in my etsy shop for cheap.  It works for me :)

I love this style of bag.  Sometimes less is more, which is how I see this bag.  I love how it showcases one beautiful fabric, with a surprise on the inside.  I haven't decided, but I may make some more of this style for the shop.  I'm trying to use up some of my stash, which includes some more of these handles.  I think I need to go on a fabric diet - my stash is out of control! (let's see how long that lasts)